Shortwave means the application

of high frequency electrical

energy to the body tissues in
order to bring physiological and
therapeutic effects

SHORTWAVE DIATHERMY

is a means of producing
therapeutic heat in the tissue
by the use of radio waves of
high frequency.

Electromagnetic
Phenomena
Electric field:

An electric field Exists between and

around charged particles, e.g.
protons/electrons.
moving electrical charges = electric
current

Magnetic field:
Magnetic force generated at 90
the current
Area where this force acts =
magnetic field

to

Electromagnetic Phenomena
Electromagnetic phenomena can be
considered from two different aspects:
1- Electrostatic field
.

Electromagnetic Phenomena
2- Electromagnetic field

Diathermy is the application of

high-frequency
electromagnetic
energy that is primarily used to
generate heat in body tissues.
Heat is produced by resistance of
the tissue to the passage of the
energy.
Diathermy
may
also
be
produce nonthermal effects

used

to

 The depth of penetration is greater

than with any of the infrared
modalities
Pulsed shortwave diathermy produces
the same magnitude and depth of
muscle heating as 1 MHz ultrasound

 The SWD machines used

by physical
therapist utilize the frequency of 27.12
MHz and wavelength greater than
11meter
Or
13.56 MHz at 22 M
40.68 MHz at 7.5 M

 Generates Both an Electrical and a

Magnetic Field
Ratio Depends on Characteristics
of Both The Generator and the
Electrodes
SWD Units at 13.56 MHz= Stronger
Magnetic Field
SWD Units at 27.12 MHz = Stronger
Electrical Field

11

Uses
Thermal Effects
(Contenous)

Deep heat

Increased blood

flow
Increased cell
metabolism

Increased tissue
extensibility
Muscular relaxation
Possible changes in

enzyme reactions

Non-thermal Effects
(Pulsed)
Edema reduction
Lymphedema reduction
Superficial wound
healing
Treatment of venous
stasis ulcers

Electromagnetic Radiation
PSWD

CSWD
Electromag. Energy absorption

Incr. molecular KE

Thermal Effect

cell ion-binding properties, protein synthesis, ATP

production

Athermal Effect

Increased cell metabolism and function

Enhanced soft-tissue healing

other electrical equipment is kept at least 3m

from the machine during operation

Implanted pacemakers
Metal in tissues or external fixators
Lack of thermal sensitivity
Pregnancy
Haemorrhaging areas (may be temporary
increase in bleeding during menstruation if
pelvis irradiated)
Ischaemic tissue
Malignant tumors
Active tuberculosis
Recent venous thrombosis
Pyrexia
Devitalised skin (e.g. after Radiotherapy)
Growing epiphysis

 The component parts of a shortwave

diathermy unit. To apply SWD we have two main circuits,
the machine circuit which produce high frequency current coupled with the
patient circuit through inductors to transfer the electrical energy to the
patient.

 Control panel of a shortwave

diathermy
unit:
A,
Power
switch;
B, timer;
C, output power meter (monitors
current drawn from power supply
only
and
not
in
patient
circuit);
D, output intensity (controls
the percentage of maximum power
transferred to the patient);
and
E, tuning control (tunes the
output
circuit
for
maximum
energy
transfer
from
radiofrequency oscillator)

Living tissue consists of 3

molecule /particle types:
1. Charged molecules (ions, Na+, some
proteins)
2. Dipolar Molecules (water, some
proteins)
3. Non polar molecules (fat)

HEAT PRODUCTION
Dependent on:
SPECIFIC ABSORPTION RATE

(rate of
energy absorbed /unit area of tissue mass)

Tissue conductivity
charged molecules
dipolar molecules
non-polar molecules

Charged Molecules
Ions and certain
proteins
Molecules are
accelerated along lines
of electric force
Attraction/repulsion forces
between charged molecules
compel them to accelerate
along the lines of electrical
+
force
Causes collisions & loss +of
+
kinetic energy
+

Most efficient way of

heat production

Dipolar Molecules
Water and some proteins
Positive pole of the
molecule aligns itself
to the negative pole of
the electric field
(vice versa)
Alternating field produces rotation
Moderately efficient
heat production

Non-Polar Molecules
Fat
Electron cloud is distorted but
negligible heat is produced
Alternating
field
causes
electron clouds to move back &
forth

due
to
blood
Temperature
electrolytes
fat
then
insulates heat
Least efficient heat production

! Clinical Implication !
Blood, having high ionic
content, is a good conductor
vascular tissues as well
Metal and sweat are good
conductors if metal
implants and sweat are
present within the electric
field, may cause burn

SHORTWAVE DIATHERMY
Condenser
Field

Induction
Field

CONDENSER FIELD
Patients tissues are used as DIELECTRIC between
the conducting electrodes
Oscillation and rotation of the molecules of the
tissues produces heat
Either flexible metal plates (malleable) or
rigid metal discs can be used as electrodes
Create Stronger Electrical Field Than Magnetic
Field
Ions Will Be Attracted Or Repelled Depending on
the Charge of the Pole
Can be applied in 3 ways: contraplanar,
coplanar, or longitudinal

 The Tissue That Offers The Greatest Resistance

To Current Flow Develops The Most Heat
Fat Tissue Resists Current Flow
Thus Fat Is Heated In An Electrical Field
Typical With Capacitor Electrodes
Muscle is heated via conduction from the
adipose
Also referred to as condenser field diathermy

 Air space plates

Pad electrodes

 This type of electrode consists of two metal

plates with a diameter of 7.5-17.5 cm
surrounded by a glass or plastic plate
guard. The metal plates may be adjusted
approximately 3 cm within the plate guard,
thus changing the distance from the skin

Ways of Application
Contraplanar
- Transverse positioning
- plates are on either side
of the limb

Ways of Application
Coplanar
- plates parallel with the
longitudinal section of the
body part; same side

Ways of Application
Longitudinal
- plates are placed at each
end of the limb

Cross-fire
Half the treatment is given with
electrodes in one contra planar position
& for 2nd half the electrodes repositioned
at right angles; for deeply placed organs
& air-filled cavities e.g. Chronic Synovitis
of Knee Joint

! GUIDELINES !
Electrodes should be:
Equal in size
Slightly larger than the
area treated
Equidistant and at right
angles to the skin surface

 Sensation Of Heat In Direct Proportion

To Distance Of Electrode From Skin
Closer Plate Generates More Surface Heat
Parts Of Body Low In Subcutaneous Fat
Best Treated(e.g., hands, feet, wrists,
and ankles)
This technique is also very effective
for treating the spine and the ribs.

Flexible pads: consist of metal electrode encased

in rubber and produce an electrostatic field
They are true capacitor electrodes, and they
must have uniform contact pressure on the body
part if they are to be effective in producing
deep heat, as well as in avoiding skin burns
closer the spacing of the
pads, the higher the current
density in the superficial
tissues. Increasing the space
between the pads will increase
the depth of penetration in
the tissues

Pad electrodes showing correct placement

and spacing

 Pad electrodes should be

separated by at least the
diameter of the
electrodes.
A.Electrodes placed close
together produce more
superficial heating.
B. As spacing increases,
the current density
increases in the deeper
tissues

INDUCTION FIELD
Patient is in the electromagnetic field or
the electric circuit produce strong
magnetic field induce electrical currents
within the body (EDDY currents)
Utilizes either an insulated cable or an
inductive coil applicator

Induction Field Diathermy

creates a stronger magnetic field than an

electrical field
Selectively heats muscle
Also referred to as:
Condenser field diathermy
Magnetic field diathermy

A coil is housed within a drum

Current flowing within the coil produces a
rotating magnetic field
Magnetic field produces eddy currents in the
tissues
Eddy currents cause friction that produce heat
Although rare, cables are sometimes used in
place of drums

 Cable electrodes
Drum Electrodes

 The cable electrode is an induction

electrode, which produces a
magnetic field
provide more even heating because
they are able to follow the
contours of the skin

 There are two basic types of arrangements:

the pancake coil
the wraparound coil

In either arrangement, there should be at

least 1 cm of toweling between the cable and
the skin.
Stiff spacers should be used to keep the
coils or the turns of the pancake or the
wraparound coil between 5 and 10 cm between
turns of the cable, thus providing spacing
consistency

It is important that the cables not

touch each other because they will
short out and cause excessive heat
buildup

 Diathermy units that operate on a frequency

of 13.56 MHz are probably best suited to
cable electrode-type applications. This is
primarily because the lower frequency
provides better production of a magnetic
field
pancake coil

wraparound coil

 also produces a magnetic field

The drum electrode is made up of one or more
monoplanar coils that are rigidly fixed
inside some kind of housing
One Or More Monopolar Coils Rigidly Fixed In
A Housing Unit
May Use More Than One Drum
Depending On Area Treated
Penetration
Deeper Soft Tissues

Toweling Important

 The maximum penetration of

shortwave diathermy with a drum
electrode is 3 cm, provided there
is no more than 2 cm of fat beneath
the skin
For best absorption of energy, the
housing of the drum should be in
contact with the towel that is
covering the skin

Arrangement of Inductive Coil

Monode: coil
arranged in one
plane
Hinged Diplode:
permits electrode
to be positioned
at various angles
around the three
sides of the body
part, or in one
plane

Fat

muscle

bone

Inductive coil

Minimum

maximum

None

Capacitive plate

Maximum

Moderate

Low

1- Spacing: allows the lines of force in the electrostatic field

to diverge before entering the tissues. This prevents

concentration of heat in the super-facial tissues and
ensures more heating through the part.
Spacing provided by: 1- wrapping flexible pads in
towel.
2-flat felt spacing pads
between pad electrode
and skin.
3-air when using space
plates.

1- Spacing: allows the lines of force in the

electrostatic field to diverge before
entering the tissues. This prevents
concentration of heat in the super-facial
tissues and ensures more heating through the
part.
Spacing provided by:
1- Wrapping flexible pads in towel.
2- Flat felt spacing pads between pad
electrode and skin.
3- Air when using space plates.

 a- Normal spacing even

field distribution.
b- Increased spacing
deep field
concentration.
c- Decreased spacing
superficial
concentration.

 It has been suggested that for most short wave

sources at maximum output spacing of about 4 cm to
the maximum that will give the greatest absolute
heating of the deep tissues.
Conversely the minimum skin electrode distance is
about 2 cm.
Note: the spacing refers to the distance of the
metal electrode, not the plastic cover, from the
skin.

2- Air in cavities: as sinuses or

uterus, the lines of force deviate
to avoid air as it offers a high
resistance. As a result only the
sides of air cavity will be heated.

3- Electrode size: if the

electrodes are too small
than the diameter of
treated part line of
force will be concentrated
superficially.
-If the electrodes are
markedly larger the line
of force will be lost in
the air.
-Ideally, the electrodes
should be slight larger
than the area treated.

4- Metal: metal causes the lines of

force to concentrate on the metal